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I 

[DOC. No. 75.] 

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REPORT 

O F 

THE SELECT COMMITTEE, 

III obedience to a Resolution of the House, in reference to the 
Defence of Craney Island in this State, tohen attacked by the 
British Forces on the 22t/ of June 1813. 




The select committee appointed to examine all the official, historical 
and other evidence in relation to the defence of Craney Island in this 
state, when attacked, on the 2'2d day of June 1813, by the British 
forces, to designate such of the officers of this state as distinguished 
themselves in that engagement by their skill and gallantry, and to 
consider the expediency and propriety of awarding to them some tes- 
timonial of the gratitude and thanks of this commonwealth, have, ac- 
cording to order, had the same under consideration, and submit the 



following 



REPORT : 



The defence of Craney Island on the 22d of June 1813, may justly 
rank amongst the most brilliant and successful incidents of the late 
war with Great Britain. And fought as that action was upon our own 
soil, mainly by the volunteer militia of our own state, and in the de- 
fence of our most important commercial cities, and resulting as it did 
in the signal repulse of an enemy of greatly superior numbers, and in 
the liberation of our state from a formidable foe, unscrupulous in 
its means of attack and annoyance, it has a high and peculiar claim 
n[)on the gratitude and attention of the people of Virginia. That 
some distinct and complimentary notice has not been before taken, by 
the general assembly of this state, of the gallant band which, upon 
that memorable day, shed such lustre upon her arms, and performed 
such important service to their country, is to be ascribed to the rapidity 
with which the thrilling events of that period passed before, agitated 
and engrossed the public mind ; to the absorbing grief which wrung 
every bosom at the barbarous outrages perpetrated upon our inofi:ensive 
citizens by the enemy as they retreated from the scene of their dis- 
aster and defeat ; and in some measure to the undue partiality which 
at that particular juncture concentrated the public regards upon that 
rising and popular arm of our national defence, around which the 
achievements of Hull, Jones and Decatur had already cast such a halo 
of national glory. "Events," says the editor of the Richmond En- 



*.-. 



i" rt S '^ - r - 

2 [ Doc. No. 75. ] 

quirer, in his paper of the 2d of July 1813, "follow each other with 
such rapidity, that it is almost impossible for the pen to keep pace with 
them. Express succeeds express, and despatch comes after despatch, 
in such quick succession, that if we put down every thing that in- 
terests us for the moment, wc shall not have room enough for the 
record." And on the 16th of July of the same year, an able and elo- 
quent writer in the Enquirer complains, in strong and pointed terms, of 
the indifference with which the most dazzling victories achieved on 
land were received by the public mind, compared with the exulting 
throb of joy which animated every heart at the most trivial triumph 
on the water. "Our heads," he says, "are all turned towards the 
ocean, as the only field of fame, and as the only theatre where the ho- 
nour of the country can be upheld and the glory of our ancestors sus- 
tained. An account of the most daring enterprise upon land is scarcely 
read, particularly if we hear of an engagement between two frigates 
at the same time. Why this partiality in the public favour ? Why 
not exult at a victory on land with as much enthusiasm as if it were 
gained on the ocean ? Our legislative assemblies seem also to have 
caught this partiality, and to have viewed the deeds of the 'ocean 
warriors' as alone worthy of their approbation. At the last session of 
the Virginia legislature, seven resolutions passed that body, con)pli- 
menting in the highest terms seven of our young midshipmen, who had 
participated in the glory of our late naval victories, whilst no notice 
whatever was taken of the achievements on land. An act of heroism 
on land is as glorious as one upon the ocean ; and public applause is 
as justly due to the one as to the other. If our gallant midshipmen 
are entitled to swords and resolutions, so are our lieutenants, captains, 
majors and colonels. They both fought for their country. They are 
animated by the same elevated feelings. Tliey bled in the same holy 
cause, and the meed of public praise and approbation should be the 
same." 

The partiality of the nation at that period for the navy, was quite 
natural. It was the arm of our national defence which first turned 
the tide of victory in our favour. It was adding fame to our national 
character, whilst disaster and defeat followed our operations upon land 
upon the northern frontier. It was, besides, the first national exhibi- 
tion of the skill and gallantry of our noble tars, and struggling, as we 
then were, with the mistress of the ocean, upon her own favourite and 
theretofore invincible element, and in vindication of the great rights 
of maritime freedom, it is not wonderful that the public favour should 
have been at the time almost wholly engrossed in its admiration of the 
intrepid feats and matchless enterprise of that branch of the service. 
But now that the enthusiasm of the moment has subsided, and we are 
left at liberty coolly to contemplate the events of that period, every 
sentiment of gratitude and justice impel us to honour the brave de- 
fenders of our country upon land, however late and tardy may be the 
public recognition of their just claims upon our attention. 

That the defence of Craney Island was regarded during the war, 
and by all the historical writers who undertook to embody the events 
of that period, as amongst the most striking and important achieve- 
ments of our arms, there is most abundant evidence to shew. 



[J3oc. No. 75.] 3 

Gen'l Robert B. Taylor, than whom no one better knew the duties 
of a soldier or the force of the language which he employed, in his 
official report of that action to the secretary of war, dated at Norfolk, 
on the 4th of July 1813, thus speaks of it : 

"The courage and constancy with which this inferior force, in the 
face of a formidable naval armament, not only sustained a position in 
which nothing was complete, but repelled the enemy with considera- 
ble loss, cannot fail to inspire the approbation of their government 
and the applause of their country. It has infused into the residue of 
the army a general spirit of competition, the beneficial effects of 
which will, I trust, be displayed in our future combats." 

Thompson in his history of the war, published in 1816, and Brack- 
ENRiDGE in his history, published in 1818, after describing the action, 
say that "the safety of the City of Norfolk and of the surrounding 
towns of Portsmouth, Gosport and others, is to be attributed to the re- 
solute spirit and intrepid bravery exhibited in the defence of Craney 
Island." 

John Dickenson, in his address to the free electors of Pennsylvania, 
dated at Philadelphia, September 29th, 1813, and published at length 
in the Richmond Enquirer of the 19th of October 1813, thus classifies 
that action amongst those glorious events which might well be refer- 
red to, to animate a brave people in their persevering struggles in de- 
fence of their national freedom and safety : 

"Why should we dwell only upon the wiscarriages of our war? — 
Forgetting the brilliant achievements of York ; forgetting how the 
battlements at Fort George fell ; the repulse at Fort Meigs ; the repulse 
at Sackett's Harbour ; the repulse at Craney Island ; the glorious re- 
pulse at Sandusky, all within the first year of our operations by land !" 

The Hon. Thomas Gholson, a distinguished member of the house 
of representatives, in an address to the freeholders of his congressional 
district, composed of the counties of Mecklenburg, Lunenburg and 
Brunswick, dated at Washington City, August 2d, 1813, thus refers to 
that event : 

" On land also we can recount our successes. The decisive victo- 
ries we have gained at Fort George, at Sackett's Harbour, at York, at 
Fort Meigs, and at Craney Island, furnish indisputable testimony of 
the superiority of our troops. Nothing has ever occurred, that sur- 
passed the intrepid conduct of our seamen and militia at Craney 
Island." {See Richmond Enquirer, August 20, 1813.) 

Extracts to the same effect might be indefinitely multiplied from the 
newspapers and periodical journals of those times, but enough has 
been exhibited to shew the estimate placed upon that action by distin- 
guished generals, statesmen and historians, when the subject was fresh 
before their minds, and when the heart of the nation was throbbing to 
the deeds of her gallant defenders. 

It is marvellous that any doubt or obscurity should ever have been 
cast upon the incidents of that battle, or upon the fact as to who were 
the prominent and conspicuous actors in it. It is true that the insidi- 
ous effects of a noxious climate, more fatal than the arms of their Bri- 
tish foes, carried off some of them to their eternal repose very shortly 



4 - [ Doc. No. 75. ] 

after the war. Yet the official report, written two days after the ac- 
tion, and confirmed by the conananding general tivelve days after its 
occurrence, was placed amongst the imperishable records of the repub- 
lic; and there it stood unassailed and uncontradicted for a period of 
thirty-two years. And it was not until October 1845, that one of the 
subordinate actors in that aflfair made a deliberate effort, upon his own 
unaided evidence, to assail the accuracy of that official report, and to 
wrest from the volunteers of Virginia their before unquestioned and 
long admitted claim to at least a large participation in the honours of 
that victory. And it is much to be regretted, that some otherwise com- 
mendable histories which have appeared subsequent to 1S45, have been 
misled by the high name of Commodore W. Brandford Shubrick, to 
give to this transaction an aspect wholly unwarranted by any evidence, 
official or historical. If this perversion of an interesting military trans- 
action is suffered to remain longer unnoticed, it may be that the names 
of the real and most important actors in it may forever pass from pub- 
lic view. The house of delegates of Virginia has therefore felt it due 
to those gallant men who rallied to her defence in a period of difficulty 
and danger — due to her own citizens — due to the truth of history — 
that the facts of that brilliant and important action shall be rescued 
from all misapprehension, and forever placed in an authentic form 
amongst the permanent archives of the state. 

In accordance with this view of the high obligations devolving on 
the commonwealth, this committee have been appointed, and the com- 
mittee, feeling the deep responsibility of their position, have spared no 
labour or research to reach a conclusion satisfactory to themselves and 
to the public mind. They have consulted all the official reports of 
that action, British and American ; they have examined every account 
of it to be found in the permanent histories published in this country, 
and preserved in the public libraries of this state and of congress ; they 
have read the numerous newspaper narratives of the action ; they have 
visited the battle field, and had on the ground with them most of the 
survivors of that memorable day, and from all now living, who were 
accessible, naval and military, they have procured full and detailed 
statements of the incidents and operations of that engagement. They 
will, therefore, proceed to lay before the house the result of that exami- 
nation. [See Appendix A.] 

As early as the month of January 1813, it was known that a British 
squadron had arrived at Bermuda with a considerable body of troops 
on board, and well supplied with bombs and rockets, for the purpose 
of attacking some of our most exposed southern cities. This invi- 
dious distinction was made between the north and south, from a be- 
lief, that the northern states were not merely unfriendly to the war, 
but were strongly inclined to secede from the Union, to avoid those in- 
juries and interruptions to their commerce and industry, occasioned by 
the existing state of hostilities between the two nations. On the 4th 
of February, Admiral Sir John Borlase Warren took possession of 
Hampton Roads in the Chesapeake bay, with two ships of the line, 
four frigates and several smaller vessels of war. On the 20th of March, 
the whole southern coast of the United States was declared to be in 



[ Doc. No. 75. ] 5 

a state of blockade. No important movement, however, was attempted 
at this time, but the enemy confined themselves to a disgraceful pre- 
datory war, along the shores and inlets. Admiral Warren soon after 
sailed to Bermuda, with a view of fitting out a more considerable ar- 
mament for an attack upon some portion of the southern sea coast 
during the summer. Early in June, he returned with a considerable 
reinforcement, and a number of land troops and marines, under the 
comaud of Gen. Sir Sidney Beckwith. This force consisted of seven 
ships of the line, twelve frigates and sloops of war, and a proportion- 
ate number of smaller vessels. The appearance of this formidable 
force in the Chesapeake bay created much uneasiness in the more con- 
siderable cities, situated upon its waters. Baltimore, Annapolis and 
Norfolk were threatened. But the fleet directed its course towards 
Hampton Roads, and it was now evident that the cities of Virginia 
were to receive the first blow. 

It is gratifying to look back to that period of our history, and to ob- 
serve with what an unshrinking and unfaltering spirit the people of 
this commonwealth prepared themselves to meet the invading host, 
which the power of the British nation had concentrated upon the most 
vulnerable portion of our state ! With what joyful alacrity the volun- 
teers from every portion of the state tendered their services to rush to 
her standard! With what quickening energy the peaceful citizen as- 
sumed the duties and the qualities of the soldier ! 

"Are we to ho 'picked out,^'' says the editor of the Richmond En- 
quirer, "from all the rest of the nation, to feel the resentment of an in- 
solent foe? We fear not for the issue. The pulse of the Virginian 
beats too high, to suffer any invader to trample on her soil and disturb 
the repose of the ashes of our fathers." 

Again, exclaims that patriotic sentinel, "Citizens of Virginia! these 
are ' the times that try men's souls.' We address ourselves to the 
young, the ardent, to the men of chivalry and of arms. Craney Island 
will witness the deeds of our troops. Shall we alone bear the brunt 
of the battle? Shall we alone be selected by an insolent foe as the 
object of attack? If you are true to yourselves — if you are true to 
the great cause in which we have embarked; if yon are true to the 
ashes of the heroes of 1776, which repose on our soil ; — if you are in- 
spired by the guardian genius of liberty which dwells amongst lis; — 
if you love your country, will you permit these miserable mercenaries 
to seize our towns and insult the tombs of our fathers ? No ! Virginia 
WILL be true to herself and to her courury." 

A member of congress thus addressed that editor: "I have no fears 
of the Old Dominion — I am sure she will do her duty. The prefer- 
ence given by the enemy to her, is in my judgment honourable to her. 
She has ever been conspicuous in opposing British encroachments, and 
I hope ever will be. My whole soul yearns over her at this iime.'^ 

George Hay, Esq., in addressing the people of Virginia, eloquently 
remarks : 

" The enemy, by his late movements, seems to have selected the 
state of Virginia as the peculiar object of his vengeance. Be it so. 
The people of this commonwealth are proud to be thus distinguished. 



6 [Doc, No. 75.] 

They have never by a senatorial resolve deprecated his wrath, and so 
help them God ! they never will. Their fathers met iiim in the field, 
and led his army into captivity. We will emulate their spirit, and 
endeavour to follow their great example. My countrymen ! my res- 
pected countrymen! brave and generous Virginians! when this storm 
shall pass away, when an honourable peace shall be acquired by your 
patriotism and valour; when you, or such of you as may survive the 
conflict, shall meet again in the full enjoyment of peace and of the 
rights for which we now contend, what will be your feelings? How 
pure will be your joy! how proud your triumph! You shall 'read 
your history in a nation's eye.' Yes! you shall stand on the right 
hand of your grateful country ; whilst those who have encouraged the 
foe and deserted her in the hour of danger, shall call on the mountains 
to cover them." 

Such was the spirit which animated Virginia at this crisis of her his- 
tory, and such there is no doubt will it ever be, when any foreign foe 
shall have the temerity to invade the sanctity of our soil. 

On the morning of the 21st of June, the forces of the enemy, lying 
off Newport's Noose, consisted of the heavy naval armament above 
described, under the command of Admiral Warren and Rear Admiral 
Cockburn, having on board the 102d regiment of infantry, the royal 
marine brigade, two companies of Canadian chasseurs, about 800 fo- 
reign renegadoes and prisoners, called Chasseurs Britanniques, under 
the command of Gen. Sir Sidney Beckwith, assisted by Lieut. Col. 
Napier, Lieut. Col. Williams, Maj. Malcolm, Capt. Smith and others — 
the whole force of the enemy, including sailors, amounting to near 
5000 men. 

The American forces in that quarter consisted of a large body of 
militia, collected under the active and patriotic exertions of Gov. Bar- 
bour, from different portions of the state, some few regulars, and the 
officers and crews of the frigate Constellation and of the gunboats. 
The regulars and militia were mainly stationed in the immediate vici- 
nity of the cities of Norfolk and Portsmouth, in and near Forts Nel- 
son, Norfolk and Barbour. The Constellation rode at anchor between 
Forts Nelson and Norfolk and the cities of Portsmouth and Norfolk. 
The gunboats were moored east of the island, in a crescent form, ex- 
tending from Lambert's point across the channel. 

About five miles west of Norfolk, near the mouth of Elizabeth river, 
and commanding the approach from Hampton Roads to that city, lay 
Craney Island, a small island, nine hundred yards in length and two 
hundred and thirty-three in width, without a house and with but a 
single tree (cedar) upon it, and separated from the main land by a nar- 
row inlet, fordable at low or even half tide. This was the exposed 
outpost of our military line — the nearest in contact with the enemy — 
a position of great importance as a key to the harbour, and one which 
it was indispensable the enemy should possess, before they could reach 
the ultimate object of their attack — the cities of Norfolk and Ports- 
mouth. A small unfinished breastwork had been commenced on the 
eastern end of this island, where two twenty-four pounders and one 
eighteen pounder had been mounted. The whole force upon that 



[ Doc. No. 75. ] 7 

morning, on the island, consisted of two companies of artillery, Capt. 
Emerson's and Capt. Richardson's, under the command of Maj. Faulk- 
ner of the state artillery; Capt. Roberts's company of riflemen and 
416 militia infantry of the line, commanded by Lieut. Col. Beatty of 
infantry, assisted by Maj. Andrew Waggoner, also of the infantry. 
And yet, as small as this force was, and exposed to the assault of su- 
perior numbers, and so situated that, if overpowered, there were scarcely 
any means of retreat, we learn from the public journals of that day, 
" that not the smallest symptom of apprehension was visible, but the 
reverse ; all were cool and collected, rather wishing the attack." 

From the movements of the enemy's ships on the 21st of June, and 
their anchoring east of the mouth of Nansemond river, about five 
miles from Craney Island, no doubt was entertained that an attack was 
now meditated. It became proper, therefore, to strengthen the troops 
on the island with such reinforcements as could be spared. General 
Taylor came in speed to Fort Norfolk, and ordered Capt. Pollard of 
the United States army, stationed there, to prepare directly to rein- 
force that small command by thirty men of his own company, adding 
that he would send him a detachment from the militia of thirty men 
more, with two company officers. This detachment, with Lieut. / 

Johnson of the county of Culpeper, and Ensign Archibald Atkinson | 

of Isle of Wight, were promptly at Fort Norfolk; and Capt. Pol- 
lard, with his united detachment, directly embarked in boats, under 
the cheers of the garrison, for Craney Island, where they arrived about 
twilight on the evening of the 21st. At 3 o'clock in the evening, 
Gen. Taylor sent his aid-de-camp to Capt. Tarbrell, of the Constella- 
tion, with a request to add to the forces on the island such of the offi- 
cers, sailors and marines as ho could spare from that frigate. In pursu- 
ance of this request, Capt. Tarbrell despatched First Lieut. Neale with 
one hundred officers, midshipmen and sailors, and Lieut. Brackenridge 
with fifty marines. The latter reinforcement reached the island some 
time during the night of the 21st. The whole force on the island, 
at the time of the attack, consisted of 50 riflemen, 416 militia infan- 
try of the line, 30 regulars of the United States army, 91 state artil- 
lery, and 100 sailors and 50 marines. 

About 12 o'clock at night, in consequence of a fire from one of the 
sentinels, who erroneously imagined that he saw a boat passing be- 
tween the island and the main land, our troops were called to arms, 
and remained under arms until the approach of dawn on the morning 
of the 22d, when they were dismissed. Scarcely, however, had they 
been dismissed, when a horseman dashed across the inlet and reported 
that the enemy was landing in great force near Maj. Hoffleur's, about 
two and a half miles west of the island. Every man was instantly at 
his post, and as it became lighter, the enemy's boats could be distinctly 
seen passing and repassing from the ships to the shore, landing troops. 
The three heavy cannon in the unfinished fort at the east end of the 
island, were promptly brought, by the orders of Major Faulkner, to 
the 7vest end, where the four six-pounders had already been posted. 
At that point, there was at that time a low breastwork, temporarily 
erected, and the cannon were posted immediately in rear of it. These 



8 [ Doc. No. 75. ] 

seven pieces constituted the batterv. Tlie infantry and riflemen, with 
Captain Richardson's conipany of light artillery, acting as i^ifaiitri/, 
were formed in a line, some short distance in rear of tlie artillery, with 
their ria;ht restina; on the north. Behind the low breastvvork the seven 
pieces were arranged, the four six pounders to the north, next to them 
the eighteen pounder, and on the left of the battery the two twenty- 
fonr pounders. Behind the eighteen and twenty-four pounders was 
erected our fiag-stafF, with the stars and stripes proudly unfurled to the 
breeze. To Captain Emerson, Major Faulkner assigned the command 
of one of the twentyrfour pounders, and to Second Lieutenant God- 
win, assisted by Thomas Rourk of the Manhattan, the other. To 
First Lieutenant Howie, two of the six pounders, assisted by Corporal 
Moffit ; to Sergeants Young and Livingston, each, a six pounder; and 
to Lieut. Neale of the navy, the eighteen pounder. A portion of the 
sailors from the Constellation were detailed to assist in the firing and 
management of the two twenty-four pounders ; the whole battery, thus 
arranged, being under the direction and orders of Major Faulkner 
of the state artillery. 

The enemy had now lauded about 2500 infantry and marines. 
They could be distinctly seen marching and countermarching on the 
beach, for the splendour of an unclouded summer sun threw its rays 
full upon them, and after forming into column, they took up the line 
of march. Such was the dense growth of the trees and underwood, 
commencing a short distance from the beach, that they were soon lost 
to the view. In about two hours they emerged from the woods, and 
appeared on the point of land, formed by the junction of Wise's creek 
with tlie narrow inlet which separates Craney Island from the shore. 
From this point a detachment of the British was sent to cross Wise's 
creek, with a view of reaching the island on the south, and the enemy, 
to divert the attention of our forces from that movement, commenced 
the action by a rapid discharge of Congreve rockets upon the island. 
Our battery was promptly directed at the column in sight, keeping up 
for some time a galling and destructive fire of grape and cannister shot. 
They soon sought protection behind a piece of woods, atid a house be- 
longing to Capt. George Wise ; but from the shot directed through the 
trees and at the house, which soon tore off the roof and threw down 
the chimney, it was soon perceived that these shelters afforded no safe 
retreat against the accuracy and precision of our fire, and they fell 
back in dismay, with the loss of many killed and wounded, and 
amongst them two officers, to a point beyond the reach of our guns, 
to await the result of the movement directed towards the south 
of the island, and the attack then being made by the barges approach- 
ing on the water. By this time, the guns under the command of 
Lieut. Godwin and Sergeant Ljivingston had become dismounted, and 
disabled from further use. 

Scarcely had the enemy been driven, by our well-directed fire, from 
their assailing position on the land, when fifty of their largest barges, 
filled with men from the ships, supposed to contain about 150t) sailors 
and marines, begiui to approach M'ithin the range of our artillery. 
They were advancing towards the island, in column order, in two dis- 



[Doc. No. 75.] 9 

tinct divisions, one following the channel, between the island and main 
land, led on by Admiral Warren's barge, the Centipede, a boat upwards 
of 50 feet in length, rowing 24 oars, with a brass three pounder in her 
bow, under the command of Capt. Hanchett, of his Majesty's ship 
Diadem, the other directing its course to some point on the north of 
the island. Whilst the barges were approaching, Capt. Emerson ob- 
served to Maj. Faulkner, "Are they near enough for our fire?" No 
sir,, replied the commandant of artillery, "let them approach a little 
nearer." In a few moments afterwards, the word "fire" was given, 
when our whole battery, except the disabled pieces, opened upon 
the nearest division of boats, a brisk and heavy discharge of grape 
and cannister. The barges, however, continued to advance in the 
face of this destructive fire, until they could no longer maintain 
them.selves under it, when the Centipede and the boats immediately 
following her were observed to change their direction towards the 
division of barges aiming at the north of the island, at which mo- 
ment the Centipede was sunk by a shot from one of the guns passing 
through the boat in the wake of the after-thwart, wounding several, 
and amongst them Captain Hanchett, the commanding officer of the 
division, severely in the thigh. At this time, so quick and galling 
was our fire that the enemy were thrown into the greatest confusion, 
and the order was soon after given for a hasty retreat to the ships. 
Five of their boats were sunk, one of them, as before remarked, the 
Admiral's barge, and many others were so shattered that it was with 
difficulty that they were kept afloat. The firing was kept up with 
round shot until they got beyond the reach of our guns. ]No sooner 
had the enemy made good their retreat in the barges, when orders 
were given to Lieut. Neale, to send a detachment of his intrepid sailors, 
to haul up the boats which had sunk and to secure the British sailors 
and marines who were making for safety to the shore. That duty 
was promptly and gallantly performed by a detachment of sailors, un- 
der the command of Midshipman Bladen Dulany, and Acting Master 
George F. de la Roche, the prisoners secured and the Centipede drawn 
up. To Acting Master De la Roche, after she was subsequently 
made tight, was assigned the honour of taking to the navy yard at 
Gosport, that beautiful specimen of naval architecture. In her was 
found the small brass three pounder before mentioned, a number of 
small arms and a quantity of pistols and cutlasses, placed there for use, 
if the enemy had succeeded in getting a landing. Twenty-two of 
her men were brought by the seamen to the island with her and sur- 
rendered themselves prisoners of war. Among them a Frenchman, 
with both of his legs shot off, was brought on shore in a hammock. 
He died in a few hours. After the battle, about thirty deserters came 
to the island. 

In this warm and spirited engagement, in which 4000 British sol- 
diers, sailors and marines, led on by brave and experienced officers, 
were opposed to 544 Virginia militia and volunteers, 30 soldiers of 
the regular army, and 150 sailors and marines, but in the active parti- 
cipation of which fight less than two himdred of our troops were en- 
gaged, the loss on the side of the invaders in killed, wounded and 

2 



10 [Doc. No. 75.] 

drowned was upwards of 200, exclusive of 30 prisoners and 40 deser- 
ters. Indeed, if we may credit the statement of Capt. Travis, the 
commander of the revenue cutter Surveyor, who. prior to that time, 
had been taken prisoner by the British, conversed freely with the 
British officers after the action, and who arrived in Norfolk on his pa- 
role on the Gth of August 1813, "The fire from the battery at Craney 
Island was far more destructive than we had any idea of. A sin- 
gle shot, as he learned from them, cut off the legs and feet of nearly a 
whole boat's crew. Another shot struck amongst a crowd of soldiers 
on the land and killed seven. Nothing, he added, could exceed the 
confidence of the enemy in taking Norfolk on the 22d of June, except 
his astonishment and mortification at being defeated." [Norfolk Her- 
ald, iOth Augvst 1813.) 

Admiral Warren in his official report of the repulse at Craney Is- 
land, dated on board the ship San Domingo, the 24th of June 1813, 
sets forth the necessity of his obtaining possession of that island, to 
enable the light ships and vessels to proceed up the narrow channel 
towards Norfolk ; acknowledges the failure of the attempt, and his re- 
pulse by the militia of the state and seamen assisting them ; compli- 
ments his officers and men for their bravery, and expresses his regret 
that Capt. Hanchett, who had with such great gallantry volunteered 
his services and led the foremost division of boats, was so severely 
wounded. This Captain Hanchett, says Ch. J. Ingersoll in his history 
of the war, was a natural son of George the 3d, born some time after 
his marriage to the queen, by whom he left so numerous a progeny, 
among them three kings, George 4th, William the 4th, and the King 
of Hanover. " And thus," continues that historian, " not long from the 
time when the Regent of Great Britain congratulated his kingdom on 
the pitch of grandeur it reached by dictating peace to France in the 
French capital, a brother of that regent was repulsed by a handful of 
militia in an attempt to capture a small island in the Chesapeake bay." 

From the prisoners and deserters, a portion of whom were removed 
to the penitentiary at Richmond, until they could be sent on to Anna- 
polis, and who were examined before the council of state, several in- 
teresting facts were elicited. 

The attack was made in the full confidence of success — in the full 
belief that after a short but gallant struggle, the island would surren- 
der, and that they would breakfast on it that morning. So confident 
were they of this result, that some brought with them their shaving 
materials, some their dogs, and some additional clothing. 

The French prisoners stated that Cockburn, to ensure their fidelity 
and zeal, told them they could easily get possession of the island, after 
which they would have nothing to do but to go on to Norfolk and take 
the town, which he promised to give up to three days iiillage, and be- 
sides, to reward them with £ 25 sterling each, if they exerted them- 
selves. He also spoke to them of the great beauty of the ladies of 
Norfolk, and pledged himself that they should have "the disposal of 
them" — a statement that would seem utterly incredible, if not borne 
out by the subsequent atrocities perpetrated at Hampton, 



[Doc. No. 75.] n 

This action was decisive in its results. It gave to the enemy a clear 
perception of the spirit with which they had to contend — the unyield- 
ing and unconquerable spirit of Virginia valour, when invoked in the 
defence of their firesides and homes. By sunset of the evening of 
that memorable day, all the forces under Sir Sidney Beck with, Avhich, 
in the proud anticipation of triumph, had landed upon our soil that 
morning, had returned, discomfited and defeated, to their shipping. All 
further attempts to capture or bombard the cities of Norfolk and Ports- 
mouth, or to destroy the navy yard at Gosport, and the shipping in the 
harbour, were abandoned forever. And the voice of gratitude and 
thanks came loud and deep from the hearts of brave men and fair wo- 
men, to hail the noble defenders of that island for the gallantry and 
skill which had saved them from the horrible atrocities of a merciless 
and unsparing foe. 

Some military critics have expressed the opinion that the attack 
upon Craney Island was in its conception altogether unworthy of the 
distinguished naval and military officers who planned it. In this opi- 
nion the committee do not concur. In their judgment the plan of at- 
tack was well conceived, and was only frustrated by the extraordinary 
vigour and spirit of the defence, combined with some fortuitous cir- 
cumstances which operated in our favour. What was the extent of the 
enemy's topographical knowledge of the country, we do not know. It is 
very certain that they were fully aware of the direction of the narrow 
channel which led to the southwest end of the island. Their object 
was to concentrate, by a simultaneous movement, the principal part of 
their land and naval forces at the southwest end of the island, to storm 
the battery at that point, whilst, at the same time, the second division 
of boats should efiect a landing on the north, and a detachment of the 
land forces, crossing Wise's creek, should invade the island on the 
south by means of the foot bridge across the inlet opposite to 
Stringer's house. Had the plan been executed as conceived, the strug- 
gle would no doubt have been a very sanguinary one ; but it is diffi- 
cult to imagine that the island could have held out against an assault 
from such difl:erent quarters, and by such overpowering numbers. 
How then was it defeated ? Wise's creek, and the swamp in rear of 
the house, presented an impassable barrier to the detachment sent to 
reach the island by the bridge. The flats, extending very far out on 
the north of the island, prevented a [lear approach from that quarter; 
whilst the barges, which took the course of the channel around the 
southwest end of the island, were exposed to the full play of our bat- 
tery, and encountered so galling and terrific a fire from it, that they 
could not approach further under it. A change of direction was, there- 
fore, visible in their movements, and when the Centipede changed her 
course towards the north, with her broadside inclined towards the bat- 
tery, a shot from it instantly sunk her, disabling all on her after-thwart, 
and amongst them the leader of the expedition, by a severe wound in 
the thigh. The same fate followed the four succeeding boats. As 
our fire became more and more destructive, their confusion increased 
until the order for a retreat to the ships was given. And thus protected 
on the north and south by a position inaccessible to the enemy, and on 



i 



12 [ Doc. No. 75. ] 

the west by tlie unequalled skill and intrepid gallantry of our artille- 
rists, we foiled all their well conceived plans, and repnlsed them with 
great slaiighter. All the British officers, of whose opinions we have 
heard since the action, have expressed their unqualified astonishment 
at the precision and accuracy of our guns. 

After this plain and impartial exposition of the facts of this engage- 
ment, which rests for its support in all its details upon the official re- 
ports, or upon the testimony of eye witnesses, attached to both 
branches of the service, it cannot be diflicult to assign to all, who were 
upon the island upon that occasion, their just participation in the glory 
of that achievement. 

It may then be said, with great propriety, that every officer and sol- 
dier on the island upon that occasion, is entitled to some credit and to 
some share in the glory which was added to the national arms. They 
were there, in the face of a formidable foe, ready and willing to per- 
forin whatever duty the chances of the day might devolve upon them. 
But so it is, and so it ever will be, that in every field of fame the op- 
portunity of distinction is rarely given to all. Sometimes it falls to 
the cavalry, sometimes to the infantry, and sometimes to the artillery, 
and sometimes to particular corps or individuals in those respective 
arms of the service. Each must be content with the share which for- 
tune allots to him. In this engagement, that distinction belongs to the 
ARTILLERY. The cnemv, at no time, was enabled to approach within 
the range of rifles or musketry. The repulse, both by land and wa- 
ter, was efTected by the guns of the battery. Upon this point there is 
no contrariety of statement to be found any where. 

It then being conceded, that to the artillery is due the effective exe- 
cution of that day, it only remains to ascertain who constituted that 
artdlery corps, and by whom the guns were so effectively served and 
directed on that occasion. 

The position occupied, and the service rendered hyMaj. Faulkner, 
are as free from doubt or difficulty as the fact itself is, that the artillery 
achieved the results of that day. The official report of the action, the 
cotemporaneous and subsequent histories of that event, the testimony 
taken before this committee, all concur in assigning to him the chief 
and active command of the artillery on that day. It is only necessary 
to add, that he discharged his duty. 

It remains, then, only to ascertain by what corps and officers, under 
his direction, the guns were commanded and managed during the ac- 
tion ; and on this point an unfortunate controversy has sprung up 
within the last four years, which never had any just basis for its ex- 
istence, and which it is now happily in the power of this committee to 
place at rest forever. 

This controversy was started in 1845, by Capt. W. Brandford Shu- 
brick of the United States navy. Taking exception to the account 
which Ch. J. Ingersoll gave of this action, in a history of the late war 
with Great Britain, then recently published, and in which account Mr. 
Ingersoll undoubtedly committed some errors. Commodore Shnbrick, 
as the basis of future historical correction, furnished himself to that 
historian a detailed account of that engagement. The paper was ma- 



[Doc. No. 75.] 13 

iiifestly written by tliat distinguished officer, from recollection merely, 
after a lapse of thirty-two years, and without referring to the official 
report or to any of the cotemporaneous histories. It is otherwise dif- 
ficult to account for the numerous and palpable blunders exhibited in 
every portion of it. This committee cannot devote any space of this 
report to a detailed exposition of those errors. It is sufficient for their 
present purpose, here, to state that he unjustly claims for the officers of 
tlie Constellation, the exclusive management of all the effective guns 
in that action, and denies to the officers of the state artillery of Virgi- 
nia all active participation in that engagement. A publication so ex- 
traordinary as this, and so directly at variance with all the official and 
historical accounts of that action, could not fail to attract some atten- 
tion from the surviving participants in that affiiir. The statement of 
Commodore Shubrick was consequently soon followed by numerous 
other publications, in which an equally extreme and untenable ground 
was taken, which excluded the naval officers from all merit in that 
achievement. There never were, at any time, any reliable data upon 
which either of these positions could have been maintained. The 
facts of that action were too notorious, and the records of the country 
too clear and complete. If we refer back to the official report of the 
action, which for thirty-two years was acquiesced in without a mur- 
mur of discontent, it will be perceived that ample justice is done to 
both branches of the service, to the extent of their actual participation 
in it. Six pieces of the artillery are assigned by the report to the 
state officers; one inferentially, although not in terms, to the naval of- 
ficers. If we refer to the histories of that event, published shortly af- 
ter the war, although they abound in numerous errors as to the posi- 
tion of the forces, the same partition of cannon is made between the 
state and naval officers, and to their united valour and skill is justly 
ascribed the result of that action. Why, therefore, at this distant day, 
should an effort be made by either corps to deprive the other of its 
just participation in that gallant achievement? It is for those who ori- 
ginated this controversy to explain. In the opinion of this commit- 
tee, there was glory enough acquired on that day to fill the ambition 
of all. 

The historians who have heretofore given an accoimt of this en- 
gagement, have fallen into several material errors. Thompson and 
Brackenridge represent the British land forces as having been repelled 
in the act of crossing the inlet to Craney Island. And Ingersoll repre- 
sents the enemy as having actually landed on the island. Both these 
statements are incorrect, ''i^'hey never reached the inlet, and never 
landed on the island. Again, the two first named historians repre- 
sent the artillery force as being composed of two distinct corps — under 
distinct commands, situated at different points of the island — the one 
the naval force, under Lieut. Neale, exclusively concerned in repelliu"- 
the approach of the barges by water; the other, the state artillery, 
exclusively concerned in repelling the advance of the enemy by land. 
This is also a mistake. There was but one battery in the action, and 
that was at the west end of the island. It consisted of seven pieces; 
the IS pounder, assigned to 1st Lieut. Neale of the navy, was between 



14 [Doc. No. 75.] 

the two 24 pounders, and the four 6 pounders, under the command of 
the officers of the Portsmouth artillery. The officers of the navy who 
came upon the island to aid and assist in the defence, took their posi- 
tion as volunteer artillerists, subject to the lineal rank then in com- 
mand. They constituted no separate corps, but were throughout the 
whole action as completely under the direction and command of Major 
Faulkner as the officers of the Portsmouth artillery were. The re- 
pulse of the enemy, therefore, both by land and water, was the united 
act of this battery, in which six of the pieces were commanded by 
state officers, and one by an othcer of the navy. The artillery on the 
island constituted one corps — under one leader. 

Much of the eclat, which attached to the gun under the immediate 
command of Lieut. Neale, resulted from the general impression and 
belief that it was a shot from the 18 pounder which passed through 
and'sunk the Centipede. Whetiier that result was produced by a shot 
from the 18, or one of the 6 pounders, this committee will not under- 
take to determine. There are strong and confident statements and 
opinions sustaining either view, which will be found in the appendix 
accompanying this report. But to whichsoever gun it may be awarded, 
it can detract nothing from the efficiency of the other. All concede 
that Lieut. Neale fired his gun with extraordinary skill and gallantry, 
and with most effective execution ; and the same may, with equal jus- 
tice, be said of Emerson, Godwin, Howie, Young and Moffit. 

The repulse of the British forces, therefore, at Craney Island on the 
22d of June 1813, was the result of the united skill and gallantry of 
Virginia volunteers and of American sailors, and let each enjoy the proud 
satisfaction of having contributed to the glory and the defence of our 
common country, without seeking to detract from the other their just 
share in the triumphs of that eventt'ul day. 

The committee, in this investigation, have derived great aid from a 
rough drawing, sketched and coloured by George F. de la Roche, on 
the 23d of June 1813, in the marquee of Major Faulkner, the com- 
manding officer of artillery, the day after the action, exhibiting a gene- 
ral view of the topography of the country, and of the position of the 
American and British forces and shipping, which interesting document 
that gentleman, since become a most distinguished engineer, has kindly 
presented to the state librarian, to be preserved in the public library 
of the commonwealth. 

The committee have opened a correspondence with the Hon. John 
Y. Mason, secretary of the navy, requesting that the brass three 
pounder, the only remaining trophy of that gallant action, and now at 
the navy yard at Gosport, shall be transferred to the capitol of this 
state, where it should rightfully be. For, even if it be, that a shot 
from the gtm under the command of Lieut. Neale sunk the Centipede, 
from which that trophy was taken, still Lieut. Neale himself was acting 
in that service under the command of an officer of the state artillery, 
and the trophy justly belongs to this commonwealth. No reply has 
yet been received from the secretary of the navy, but no doubt is 
entertained that this just and reasonable request will be granted. 



[ Doc. No. 75. ] 15 

The committee have deemed it advisable to annex to this report an 
appendix, presenting some interesting original communications, ad- 
dressed to them, in full, and extracts from others, touching the matters 
embraced in this report, and they have also caused to be prepared a 
map, illustrating the defence of Craney Island, which, in their opinion, 
should be lithographed, to accompany the report. 

After a careful consideration of the whole subject, they have come 
to the conclusion to recommend to the house of delegates the adoption 
of the following resolutions : 

1. Resolved by the general assembly of Virginia^ That the thanks 
of the people of this commonwealth are due to all the officers and sol- 
diers, seamen and marines, who were present at the defence of Craney 
Island, on the 22d of June 1813, for the patriotic zeal manifested by 
them in their willingness to encounter an enemy of superior and over- 
whelming numbers, in defence of the h.onour and interests of their 
country. 

2. Resolved^ That the thanks of the people of this state are due in 
an especial manner to the commanding officer of the artillery, to the 
officers and soldiers of the Portsmouth artillery company, and to such 
of the officers and seamen of the Constellation as acted in conjunction 
with the state artillery, which arm of the service on that occasion, by 
its skill and gallantry, repulsed the enemy, both by land and water, 
with great slaughter — defeated their meditated attack upon the island, 
and relieved the cities of Norfolk and Portsmouth from the dangers 
and offensive annoyance of an invading foe. 

3. Resolved, That without discriminating as to the relative merit of 
the state artillery, and the naval reinforcement on the island, in the ac- 
complishment of these brilliant and important results, it is due by Vir- 
ginia, and is in accordance with the usages of this state, and of all the 
other states of the Union, to signalize the gallantry and patriotism of 
the officers of our own state troops, by some appropriate testimonial of 
the gratitude and thanks of this commonwealth. 

4. Resolved, That the governor of this commonwealth be and he is 
hereby instructed to have prepared swords with suitable inscriptions 
and devices, and to present to Major James Faulkner, Captain Arthur 
Emerson, Lieutenant Parke G. Howie and Lieutenant Thomas God- 
win, if living, each a sv/ord, and if dead, to their nearest male heir, as 
commemorative of the skill and gallantry of said officers in the defence 
of Craney Island in this state, when attacked by the British forces. 

5. Resolved, That the governor be in like manner instructed to 
cause to be prepared three gold medals, with appropriate inscriptions, 
and to present the same to William P. Young, Sergeant Livingston 
and Corporal Moffit, three noncommissioned officers of the Portsmouth 
artillery, who distinguished themselves by their zeal and gallantry in 
that action. 



16 [Doc. No. 75.] 



APPENDIX. 



[A.] 



A List of the Official, Historical and other Evidences consulted by the Com- 
mittee in the preparation of this Report. 

1. Official reports of the action, by Col. Beatty, dated June 24th, 1813, and 

by Gen. Robert B. Taylor, dated 4th of July 1813. 

2. Letter of Com. John Cassin, dated 23d of June 1813. 

3. Map illustrating the defence of Craney Island, exhibiting the topography 

of the country and the position of the American and British forces on 
that day, made by George F. de la Roche, in the marquee of Major 
Faulkner, on the 23d of June 1813, the day after the action. 

4. Volumes of Richmond Enquirer, Niles' Register and Norfolk Herald, for 

the year 1813. 

5. Historical sketches of the late war v/ith Great Britain, by John Lewis 

Thompson, published in Philadelphia in 1816. 

6. History of the late war with Great Britain, by H. M. Brackenridge, Esq., 

published in 1818. 

7. History of the war of 1812-13, by Cii. J. Ingersoll, published in 1845. 

8. Discussions in the house of delegates of Virginia, and in the Richmond 

Whig, in February 1830, in reference to the incidents and actors in 
that engagement. 

9. Correspondence between W. Brandford Shubrick and Ch. J. Ingersoll, 

published in November 1845. 

10. Narrative of that action by Col. William P. Young, at that time a sergeant 

of the Portsmouth artillery, published in 1845. 

11. Statement by Parke G. Howie, published in 1845. 

12. Statement by Richard Pollard, published in 1845. 

13. Account of that action by Hon. Archibald Atkinson, of the house of 

representatives, addressed to the committee. 

14. Account of same by James Jarvis of Portsmouth, addressed to same. 

15. Account of same, by Edward Carter of Norfolk county, a private in Capt. 

Emerson's company, to same. 

16. Detailed narrative by George F. de la Roche, one of the officers of the 

Constellation, addressed to the committee. 

17. Admiral Warren's official report of the battle to the British government, 

dated 24th June 1813. 

18. Letter of Col. William P. Young to the committee, dated Washington 

City, February 19th, 1849. 

19. Letter from George F. de la Roche to C. J. Faulkner, a member of the 

house of delegates, dated 1st of February 1849. 



The committee have not deemed it proper to add to the expense of this re- 
port, by incorporating with it extracts from any documents, histories, letters 
or narratives, which have already been published; but they feel justified in 
submitting, with their report, extracts from such communications as have been 
addressed to the chairman or any member of the committee touching the sub- 
ject matter of their enquiry, and which have never yet been before the public. 



[Doc. No. 75.] 17 

Extract from a letter of the Hon. Archibald Atkinson, of the House of 
Representatives, dated Washington City, February 5, 1649, and addressed 
to the Committee. ^t^ 

After detailing with minute precision tlie circumstances which led to his 
being on the island on the day of the battle, he proceeds : " Lieut. Johnson 
of the county of Culpeper, raised 15 privates voluntarily from Col. Armistead 
Thompson's regiment, and he and I with my 15 men joined Capt. Pollard of 
the United States army, and under his command repaired to Craney Island, 
where we arrived about tvvilio-ht of the 2Ist. There I found the esteemed and 
valiant Major Faulkner in command of the artillery, Captain Emerson, Lieut. 
Godwin, Lieut. Howie, (now of the U. S. Marine corps,) some fine fellows 
from Winchester, of the rifle corps, under Captain Roberts, with many others 
whose names I cannot remember. They were as brave a set of fellows as ever 
breathed or drew a sword, and they were panting for the fight. We were un- 
der arms the whole night of the 21st. About daybreak on the 22d, a horse- 
man arrived, and informed the commanding officer, that a large force, about 
2000 men, had landed a few miles west of us. 

" The enemy's barges came so near, before the battery opened upon them, 
that we could see with the naked eye the officers on board. 

"On the land side many of the enemy were killed, and some GO or more 
deserted from the enemy and came into our lines and surrendered themselves 
also. We took also all that remained in the disabled barges, the number I 
cannot recollect. In the battle not one of our troops was injured. Our men 
behaved with much gallantry, and deserve the praise of every good man. 

" The artillery constituted, of course, the effective force, because the enemy 
was fought at a distance. I knew Major Faulkner well. He acted in that 
battle as became a noble-hearted officer, devoted to the good of his country. 
I shall not omit to mention, that the sailors of the United States, who were on 
the island, performed good service. I may also mention here, that the troops 
in the barges from the enemy's vessels were so well satisfied that they should 
succeed, and that we would surrender at their command, that they brought 
with them their shaving materials, dogs, and some additional clothing; and 
some of the prisoners said they expected to breakfast on the island." 



Extracts from the Communication of James Jarvis, Esq., to Leopold P. 
C. CowrER, Chairman of the Select Committee, dated at Portsmouthf 
February 12, 1849. 

Capt. Jarvis, after a highly interesting narrative of his own position on the 
22d of June 1813, he being a sergeant in Capt. Thompson's company of in- 
fantry, attached to the second regiment, commanded by Col. William Sharp, 
and encamped in rear of the City of Norfolk, near the ropewalk, and of the 
circumstances under which he obtained permission to join Capt. Foster's com- 
pany, which was ordered for Craney Island on the evening of the 22d, pro- 
ceeds : 

" We arrived at the island in the night, where all was calm and quiet. The 
enemy had taken a retrograde movement, and had retired west from the island. 
After the captain reported our arrival, quarters were obtained for our company 
amongst the troops. I quartered with the Portsmouth artillery. It was from 
that company that I first obtained my information of the attack and defence of 
Craney Island, afterwards from the infantry and riflemen. I was intent on 
knowing all that had occurred before my arrival. I am sure the truth was told 

3 



i 



18 [Doc. No. 75.] 

me, for the subject was then fresh, and they all agreed, and all their statements 
were the same. And it does now appear to me that I know more of what 
happened on that glorious day than those who actively participated in the de- 
fence, — in the heroic repulse of the enemy, which I can only account for from 
the great interest I took, and still take, in all the details of that action, and by 
the fact that those who were actually engaged in the combat, such as Howie 
and Young, who are now living, had enough to do to keep up the well directed 
fire ordered by Major Faulkner ; for it is well known that Major Faulkner was 
the commander of the artillery, and gave all the orders as to the firing of the 
large and small pieces of ordnance on that day. The statement then made to 
me was as follows: On tlie night previous to the attack, the enemy was seen 
to move his ships up towards Pig Point and Nansemond river. On that night 
a sentinel by the name of William Shutte was on post on the small island 
which then was betwixt Crancy Island proper and the stream known as the 
Thoroughfare. Whilst on post, this faithful soldier thought he saw a boat 
passing through betwixt him and the main land. He hailed or challenged. 
There was no answer. After the usual challenges of three times, asking who 
comes there, Shutte fired, and continued to fire, till the officer of the day, and 
the whole guard from the guard tent, had marched over to him. His repeated 
fire caused a great alarm ; all the troops were under arms. The object looked 
like a boat to all present. One of the guard, perhaps Shutte himself, waded 
to the object, which proved to be a bush. After this, towards day on the 22d, 
one of the cavalry who rode guard on Wise's shore, dashed over the Tho- 
roughfare, where it is always fordable for a horse, and reported that the En- 
glish had landed -or were landing. All the troops were immediately called to 
arms. Hundreds of times I heard how the troops were disposed of, which 
were as follows: Capt. Arthur Emerson, with his company of artillery, were 
all at the battery on the west of the island; Capt. Emerson, Lieut. P. G. 
Howie, Lieut. 'I'homas Godwin and Thomas Rourk, Sergeant William P. 
Young, Sergeant Samuel Livingston and Corporal Moffit, had charge of the 
two twenty-four pounders and four six pounders, and Lieut. Neale of the 
eighteen pounder, the whole battery being under the immediate direction and 
command of Major Faulkner of the Virginia state artillery. It was also staled 
that under Lieut. Neale, Lieuts. Shubrick and Saunders were there assisting, 
havinjT with them about one hundred sailors and some marines. I have never 
heard that any other persons than those above named were actually engaged 
on that triumphant, that eventful day. I think the most of the sailors were 
from the frigate Constellation, a few from the gunboats. I think there were 
fourteen gunboats east of the island on the day of the assault, forming a curve 
or crescent, at suitable distances one from another. 

" The rifiemen and infantry were some distance in rear of those engaged in 
repelling the enemy. They were under the command of Maj. Waggoner or 
Wagner, and would no doubt have done themselves great honour, could they 
have come in conflict with the foe. But the enemy was never enabled to ap- 
proach near enough for the riflemen and infantry to make a display of their 
gallantry. I have seen and read Col. Beatty's report to Gen. Taylor. I be- 
lieve that it is correct and worthy of all credit. It accords, with one excep- 
tion, with all I heard of the fight. Sergeant Livingston, viho had command 
of one of the six pounders, is not named in the report, whereas all said he be- 
haved very gallantly. I was personally acquainted with the commanding ge- 
neral, Robert B. Taylor. I know, that had Col. Bealty made an untrue or in- 
correct statement of the action. Gen. Taylor would have called a court of 
enquiry, but the commanding general was satisfied that all were named who 
had any thing to do in the actual defence of the island. Livingston's name 
was omitted, because he had to retire from the battery, liis piece having bro- 
ken down. 



[ Doc. No. 75. ] 19 

" I have seen the harge Centipede five hundred times ; saw the hole under her 
stern seat, made by the ball. I am confident that the ball which cut off legs 
in its course through the bottom of the boat, was a six pound shot. The ori- 
fice was small. Had it been from an 18 or 24 pounder, the perforation would 
have been so large, that the whole afterpart of the barge would have been bro- 
ken to pieces. i /-. • j 

" The following are the dimensions of that beautiful barge, the Centipede, 
certainly one of tlie finest models known in that day. She had mounted on 
her bow a brass three pounder : 

Extreme length on top, - 50 feet 2 inches. 

Breadth, - - - 7 " 8 " 

Depth, - - - 2 " 8 " 

" Many years past, whilst Commodore Warrington commanded the United 
States navy yard at Gosport, he, knowing that the barge would soon become 
shattered and broken, ordered a half size model to be made. This was made 
of mahogany by the master boat-builder, (a perfect and beautiful model,) and 
left in th'e navy yard when the conimodore was detached. I took the model 
in charge, to preserve it. Some few years ago I carried it to Washington^ and 
placed ft in the National "institute, as a trophy worthy of preservation. There 
was a court of enquiry ordered by Gen. Taylor, shortly after the defence of 
Craney Island, to make search for information relative to a charge made by 
Sir Sidney Beckwith against our forces, of inhumanity to the men seeking to 
escape after that battle. It is unnecessary to say, that charge was wholly 
groundless. But if there had been any cause for complaint against the offi- 
cial report, this court would have taken notice of it, because they had many 
persons before them, both of the artillery and infantry, including navy officers. 
I have no doubt, Had any who were summoned before that court known 
any fact of favour or omission in that report, it would have been revealed to 
the court. Of that court Col. Constant Freeman was the president, and the 
following gentlemen, members, viz : 

Armistead Mason, Lieut. Col. commanding 5th regiment infantry. 

Francis M. Boykin, " " " 3d 

Thomas Reed, " " " artillery. 

" This was a most respectable court. They had, undoubtedly, all the official 
documents which were extant, relative to Craney Island ; and if the report had 
been doubled by any one of the court, I am sure these gentlemen would have 
been the foremost in exposing any injustice. If ever the official report vyas 
doubted, I never heard of such doubt before a year or two past. All who live 
in this section of the state, are in the habit of lauding, in the highest terms, 
Maj. Faulkner, Capt. Emerson, Lieuts. Howie and Godwin, Sergeants Young 
and Livingston, Corporal Moffit and Thomas Rourk. All of Emerson's 
company spoke of the gallant Faulkner, and so did the infantry who stood by 
and saw what occurred. Neither have we, nor shall we forget the services of 
Lieuts. Neale, Shubrick and Saunders, and the brave and hardy sailors of the 
navy. I never heard that any other persons, other than Capt. Emerson's com- 
pany of Portsmouth artillery and the sailors of the navy, manned and fought at 
the battery, under the command of Maj. Faulkner, for all this force was under 
his immediate direction. My information was, that Beatty had nothing to do 
with the artillery after once giving the order to repel the enemy ; after this, 
all was left in the hands of Maj. Faulkner, and the force under him, Capt. 
Emerson and his officers, and the officers of the navy. I have thus addressed 
myself to you, because I consider it my duty to speak in behalf of mj 
friends, and of those whom our children have reason to feel grateful to, for 
their aid rendered to their fathers on this memorable 22d of June 1813." 



20 [Doc. No. 75.] 

Letter from Col. William P. Young to the Committee. 

Washington, Feb. 19th, 1849. 
Gentlemen, 

In complying with your request " to give you a concise state- 
ment of the attack made on Craney Island on the 22d June 1813, by the Bri- 
tish forces under the command of Admiral Warren, and the defence of that 
place," I beg leave to state, that their plan of attack appeared to be well con- 
ceived, for it was evident by the movements of the enemy, they intended to 
make a simultaneous attack by land and water, and had their plan been exe- 
cuted with the boldness of its conception, we should not only have met with a 
complete defeat, but many a brave soldier would on that day have been made 
to bite the dust; for our determination was to defend the island — to conquer 
or die. An overruling Providence gave us the victory. Lieut. Col. Beatty, 
of infantry, commanded on the island. Attached to his command were two 
companies of light artillery, commanded by Major James Faulkner, of Berke- 
ley county, Virginia, whose chivalrous and intrepid bearing throughout that 
unequal contest won the approbation of all on the island, and the high com- 
mendation of the commanding general, Robert B. Taylor. 

The gallant Faulkner was well sustained by the brave Capt. Emerson and 
his officers Lieuts. Howie and Godwin, and Lieut. Neale, of the frigate Con- 
stellation. Our battery consisted of two twenty-four pounders, one eighteen 
pounder, and four six pounders. Major Faulkner assigned the command of 
the twenty-four pounders to Capt. Emerson and his second lieutenant, Thos. 
Godwin. To the first lieutenant of Emerson's company, P. G. Howie, was 
assigned the command of two six pounders, he preferring to command the 
brave volunteers. Attached to his command was Corporal Moffit, in charge 
of one of the six pounders. Sergeants Young and Livingston commanded 
the remaining two six pounders. It is believed that Lieut. Neale commanded 
the eighteen pound gun. Col. Beatty, in his report, speaks of him thus : 
" Lieut. Neale, of the Constellation, during our defence, conducted himself 
with an activity, zeal and courage, which will at all times add a lustre to the 
name of an American naval officer.'' 

The gallant tars from the frigate Constellation, who joined us on the even- 
ing of the 21st, served the twenty-four and eighteen pounders; the four six 
pounders were fought by Emerson's volunteers. One of the brave tars, Bab- 
bet, joined himself to Sergeant Young's gun, and fought gallantly throughout 
the action. Thus did Emerson's company of volunteers, assisted by Lieut. 
Neale and a ^e\\ sailors, repulse 2500 infantry on land, and 50 barges filled 
with sailors, sinking three of them, one the Centipede, Admiral Warren's 
barge; saving the island, and perhaps the City of Norfolk and town of Ports- 
mouth. In Faulkner, Emerson, Howie, Godwin and Neale, we had resolute 
hearts, and in their men they found determined spirits. Our cause was just, 
it was glorious. Every man did his duty. 

I am, gentlemen. 

With great respect. 

Your obedient servant, 

WM. P. YOUNG. 



Extract from the communication of Edward Carter, of Norfolk county, to 

the Committee. 
" I was a member of the Portsmouth artillery company, commanded by 
Captain Emerson, and, as a private, participated in the defence of Craney Is- 



[Doc. No. 75.] 21 

land on the 22d of June 1813. I was stationed at, and helped to serve the 
24 pounder which was under the immediate command of Captain Emerson. 
The artillery was posted on the west end of the island ; the four 6 pounders 
to the right, next to them the 18 pounder, and next them the two 24 pound- 
ers. On the night before the action, I heard Capt Emerson say, that he was 
confident the enemy were preparing to land, and he meant to look out for 
some signal to shew their movements during the night. About the middle of 
the night, there was an alarm that brought us all under arms, and kept us up 
all nigl)t. Some short time before daylight a horseman came over to the island 
and informed us of the enemy's landing. After daylight we could see the 
enemy landing in great force. They landed about 2J miles west of Craney 
Island, near Major Hofileur's. Shortly after the enemy had landed, we saw 
the barges in motion, directed towards the island. Two 6 pounders were dis- 
charged, to announce to our friends the approaching attack, which were an- 
swered by like discharges from Forts Norfolk, Nelson and the Navy Yard. 
Whilst the enemy was approaching, I heard some officer say to Major Faulk- 
ner, ' Major, there will be heavy odds against us.' To which Major Faulkner 
replied: ' Yes, the odds in numbers are heavy against us; but we have great 
advantages of position. We shall drive them back with great slaughter.' 
Major Faulkner was standing, just before the fire was opened on the barges, 
near Capt. Emerson. There was a good deal of conversation between them 
that I could not hear ; but I recollect, when they were within what I considered 
firing distance, Emerson observed to the Major : ' Are they near enough for 
our fire?' 'No, sir,' replied Major Faulkner, ' let them approach a little 
nearer.' We soon afterwards got the word ' Fire !' and I can tell very little of 
what occurred from that time until the end of the action, except that our 24 
pounder was fired so often, that it became quite hot and rebounded very much, 
and when it was over, I had not a dry stitch upon me, for it was a hot morning. 
Emerson, my captain, was a brave and noble officer. He had f)een a sea cap- 
tain for many years: he was a man universally respected and beloved, and all 
had confidence in his skill and courage. Major Faulkner was also a brave and 
active officer. The troops had the greatest confidence in him. He was an 
honour to the nation. I never saw any man more calm and collected than he 
was before the action. His appearance inspired confidence in all around him.." 



Letter from George F. de la Roche to Charles James Faulkner. 

Washington, Feb'y 1st, 1849. 
Charles James Faulkner, Eaq. 

Dear Sir, 

Perceiving that the legislature of Virginia has appointed a 
special committee, on the motion of Mr. Cowper, to investigate fully the rela- 
tive claims and merit, justly accruing to those persons who were engaged in 
the defence of Craney Island, June 22d, 18!3, and feeling assured, that owing 
to the prominent position held by your gallant father, as commanding officer 
of artillery there, I may address myself to you, on the subject of the claims 
of that branch of the service to which I then belonged, as to one entirely 
disinterested in the pending matter, I now do so, requesting you to be assured, 
that whilst seeking to obtain for the navy its just and equitable share, I do not 
wish, in the slightest degree, to detract from the fair claims of the land 
forces. 

That the gallant defence of this island saved that portion of Virginia from 
a similarity of calamities to those of Hampton, will no doubt be as fully con- 



22 [Doc. No. 75.] 

ceded, as that those whose chance it was to fire the cannon, or to wade out 
to the sunken boat, (at the peril of their lives from their own cannon fired at 
the enemy over their own heads,) to secure the prisoners, are no more entitled 
to the whole glory of that event, than the officers who directed the whole, 
(although not at a gun,) or those who, under those directions, firmly awaited 
the time for their own active participation, and thereby did encourage and sus- 
tain those momentarily more actively engaged. All there were formerly 
looked on as having faithfully performed their duty, and it really seems too 
late, after more than thirty-five years, and most of the actors have passed 
away, for the few survivors to attempt to do away facts then publicly record- 
ed, and not then controverted. Glory enough is there for all, in equal shares 
too, who each bravely performed their share of it. 

My desire, dear sir, is to lay before you a few facts, and deductions there- 
from, which I believe cannot be controverted. 

It now seems claimed by some that the whole glory and trophies of that day 
were won by one single company of volunteer artillery, and that not even a 
full one. 

Let us examine the probability of this assertion. Gen. Taylor sent to the 
Constellation for officers and sailors, and for what? He said, to fight the 
heavy guns on the island, and take charge of the battery of heavy guns at the 
northwest end. 

At daylight it is found the enemy is going to attack the opposite end, where 
a company of artillery, some forty strong, have their own complement of guns, 
four six pounders. 

The officers and sailors who came on shore to manage the heavy guns, and 
have them then in charge, are ordered to the south end, and two 24 pounders 
and one 18 pounder are taken there, and this company immediately take 
possession, or at least take command of them, the three lieutenants in the 
navy ranking with captains in the army, give up the guns, one to a second 
lieutenant of artillery, the other to a volunteer, a sea captain, (Rourk.) This 
company manned the seven guns then ? Oh no, that is impossible with 40 or 
50 men, but they make the navy sailors their matrosses, and their officers 
quietly give the guns and men up, or as a favour obtained, are allowed an oc- 
casional pop at the enemy. In all conscience can this be believed? But does 
it accord with the official returns? Comm. Cassin's report, June 23d, 1813, 
{vide page 292, iv. vol. Niles' Register,) says " Lieut Neale, &c. &c. opened 
the fire, which was well directed, &c." With what? "The officers of the 
Constellation fired their 18 pounder more like riflemen, &i,c." One gun then, 
the 18 pounder, they had. Comm. C's report: "They sunk three boats, one 
the Centipede, &i,c.''' Again, Niles' Reg. vol. iv. page 278, extract of a pri- 
vate letter from Norfolk, dated June 22d. " Several barges sunk, one the 
Centipede, cut in two by an 18 pounder shot." As Col. Beatty does not even 
mention the 18 pounder in liis report, it is clear that that gun at least was 
managed by the navy. Well, we find that the Centipede is said by said extract, 
to have been sunk by an 18 pounder shot, she is hauled on the beach by the 
navy, the large holes perforating her are closed by nailing tarred canvass, &lc. 
over them ; she is given in charge to a naval party to take up to town and ta- 
citly given up, armament and all, no direct claim being then made against 
this disposition of her, and the writer, until lately, never heard any doubt on 
the subject of its being an 18 pounder shot. Now, a gentleman says he has 
often seen her, and that the hole was small, and a six pound shot. Let him 
state the ?ize of the hole he is so sure of. He does not do this. 

It is well known, that according to the momentum of the impelled projec- 
tile, so is its effect; so that in throwing with great force and swiftness a pebble 
acrainst a pane of glass it will make a iiole of its own size only, but if having 
less impetus, it shivers the glass. So does a shot. An 18 pound shot, with 



[ Doc. No. 75. ] 23 

its full impetus, and the coinpressive qualities of wood, will pass through, 
where, after the elastic properties of the fibrous wood have reacted to resume 
their position, the shot could in no way be again pushed through, but if the 
impetus was partially lost, it would mash and shiver the wood all round where 
it struck. 

This gentleman, therefore, judged from the appearance after this process of 
reaction, and this being also an afterthought, to say the least, is most likely to 
be erroneous. 

But, again, about the guns. Maj. James Faulkner, the officer whoseXrank 
by commission, gave him the superior command of the artillery, was the friend 
and associate of these lieutenants, one of whom, (Rlr. Ncale,) if not all, stayed 
at his quarters, their friendship continuing after that period. Is it probable 
that he would painfully wound the professional feelings of men, his friends, 
nearly his equals in lineal rank, who had been sent there to fight those heavy 
guns; take their own seamen away and place them in charge of a strange lieu- 
tenant and Capt. Rourk, and would they have stood it? I really think, sir, 
the thing clears itself up, by the absurdity of the proposition it presents. Ser- 
geant (now Colonel) Young no doubt will recollect that so short manned was 
his own six pounder, that a Frenchman, an old artillerist, but then an ordinary 
seaman of the frigate, Louis Babbet, joined his gun, and never left it to the 
end of the action. 

If these facts do not lead to the conclusion, that neither Lieut. Godwin nor 
Capt. Rourk commanded a gun manned with navy sailors, although actively 
employed about them, 1 feel compelled to say, that the officers of the navy who 
would let their men act there, when themselves were excluded, deserve, what 
was not then attempted to be heaped on them, disgrace. 

As respects the gentleman saying that he often saw the Centipede, when 
hung up in the navy yard, by which he was enabled to judge of the size of the 
hole made, I must correct him so far as to say, that the writer took her to the 
navy yard, Gosport, on the 23d of June, and that between that day and the 4th 
of July following, she was fully repaired, new boards (she being a clinker built 
boat) being put on, and she was used on that day. 

I think, then, it devolves upon you as a member of the legislature, which 
have taken this subject up, and as the son of Maj. Faulkner, who by his lineal 
rank was in command of the artillery on that occasion, to see that in any ac- 
count which may be published of that defence, under the sanction of the ge- 
neral assembly of Virginia, full justice is done to the naval officers, as well as 
to the officers of the state artillery. 

Having had an opportunity of knowing your father whilst on the Norfolk 
station, and more particularly whilst at Craney Island, I will take the liberty 
to state my recollections of him on that day. 

When I first saw him on that day, he was busily engaged in having the ar- 
tillery, of which he was the commander, properly stationed ; and when seen 
at different times during the action, was engaged in directino- and encouratrinor 
that branch of the defensive force ; his bearing, during all that time, being in 
all respects that of a brave and efficient officer, and was so spoken of by all 
I heard name him. 

In 1821, February 4th, several officers of the John Adams, of whicli I was 
one, being on board the steamboat Virginia, Capt. Fergusson, bound to Balti- 
more, were talking about the action of Craney Island, whilst near it, when 
some busy-body remarked to me that two foreign officers near us, were laugh- 
ing at my remarks. I was induced to ask one of them the cause, when he 
replied that it appeared rather singular that two persons who had been engaged 
on opposite sides, should thus meet near the seat of action ; and that so far 
from ridiculing, he was agreeing with ray statement. 



24 [Doc. No. 75.] 

He then informed me that he was Col. Lester, second in command of Gen. 
Devereux's legion, now here for his health; that he had been a subaltern of 
the 102d regiment in the land attack on Craney Island, and had been there 
wounded in what he called his north leg, (left,) and now, said he, I am come 
to get my south leg cured, having been wounded in South America; and the 
other gentleman was his surgeon. On my stating the finding the leg with a 
silk stocking on, he explained it by telling me that a British officer had mounted 
on a pine tree with his spy glass, and as the column passed him, an officer ob- 
served to him, that he had better look out, for those Yankees would knock 
him down, when he answered, "O! I am too high for them." A moment af- 
ter, a shot struck the tree and it broke dov/n, and in the fall his leg was broken 
and amputated on the spot ; about which time he himself received his wound. 

He stated also that a shot struck down four men in the advancino- column, 
killing two outright. A captam observed to his men, "Push on, men, push 
on, this is only random shot;" when an old sergeant remarked, " By — , if this 
is only random, what will point blank shot be?" 

He observed that all had been extremely astonished, not only at the wonder- 
ful precision of the fire, but at there being heavy guns there, as they believed 
that only light field pieces were on that end of the island; and he acknow- 
ledged that they had lost many more officers and men there than were reported, 
but avoided giving me any definite number of them. 

Very respectfully, yours, 

GEO. F. DE LA ROCHE. 



Extracts from George F. de la Roche's detailed narrative, dated Wash- 
ington City, February \8th, 1849. 

June 21st, at about three P. M., an aid of Gen. Robert B. Taylor, military 
commander, came on board the Constellation to request that Capt. Tarbrell, 
would send a force of sailors to man the heavy guns on the island,, and assist 
in its defence. Capt. T. agreed to let 150 officers and men, volunteers, go 
there, but all hands doing so, a selection was made. The officers were 
Lieuts. Neale, Shubrick and Saunders; Midshipmen and Master's Mates 
Geisinger, Dulany, De la Roche, Gilmeyer, Crabb and JM'Cauley ; First Lieut, 
of Marines Breckenridge, and 140 sailors and marines. By five P. M. they 
had embarked in the boats, and were landed on the island after night-fall. 
******** 

The night passed pretty quietly, except seeing by various lights and night 
sio-nals in the British fleet, then anchored off Newport's Noose, that some 
movement was going on. At early dawn the alarm was given that the British 
were advancing on the mainland to attack the south end of the island, which 
created a momentary confusion, as it was not sufficiently light to ascertain the 
fact, and the frigate's men were ordered in that direction, where we found two 
companies of state artillery, with four six pounders, to which, in about an 
hour, were added two twenty-four pound and one eighteen pound guns, Major 
Faulkner, state artillery, commanding that arm, and some four hundred state 
infantry under Col. Beatty. 

As the light increased we could plainly see a line of boats landing men near 
Pi(T Point, some three and a half to four and a half miles from the island, at 
the same time that a tender (a schooner) anchored just out of long range shot, 
nearly iu line with their shipping. From her there shortly started a six-oared 
gig, with three setters, which made for the island, evidently sounding, to find 
the little channel between the main land and the island shoals. 



[Uoc. No. 75.] 25 

As it approached within range, a brisk fire was opened on this boat, which, 
keeping head on towards the guns, happened to keep in that channel ; and al- 
though the shot fell all around the boat, the gallant Captain Patterson, of the 
Fox frigate, who was in her, continued to approach, making signals by waving 
to the tender, until a shot, supposed to be a ricochet, knocked down three of 
his men, and, as was afterwards ascertained, broke his arm, of which he died 
at Halifax. The boat then turned, to return to the tender, which she effected, 
pulling but three oars. A large number of barges, filled with men, had ga- 
thered near the tender, which was exchanging signals with the fleet and troops 
on shore. As the gig reached the schooner, two large boats approached the 
island, anchoring just at long shot distance, when a movement was made 
among the barges, and they were soon seen forming in two divisions; and on 
a signal being made from the tender, the two boats began to throw Congreve 
rockets, which fell short of the island, and the two divisions of barges started, 
one keeping outside of Craney Island shoals, as if bound to the north end, or 
to attack the gunboats there, the other directly in the line t;iken by the 
soundinjT boats. 

As soon as this division was supposed within range, a heavy fire was opened 
on them from all our guns on that end of the island. 

******** 

Meanwhile, the second division of boats, headed by the Centipede, conti- 
nued to approach; the only (to us) visible injury received by them, besides the 
gig, being by one of the rocket boats and a barge ; when they, no doubt, 
perceiving the centre of the island less protected, and the fire on them most 
incessant and destructive, the head boat, followed by the rest, diverged from 
the line they had pursued, which had kept them in the little channel before 
spoken of, as if to approach the centre of Craney Island. 

The sailors and marines were immediately ordered in that direction; and as 
they reached the low breastwork there, the stern of the leading boat struck 
the shoal, and as she then presented more of her broadside, she was struck by 
an 18 pound shot, which passed diagonally through her, in its way cutting off 
both the legs of a poor French soldier, and wounding severely in the thigh, Capt. 
Hanchett, of the Diadem 74, and probably others, and the boat began to sink; 
and in the pell mell of the boats' turning round to retreat, only a few officers 
and men were taken off" from the Centipede by them, leaving the rest to their 
fate, and thence retreating, the enemy lost another boat, sunk. As soon as this 
was observed, and that some of the men were wadincr towards the main land. 
Midshipman Dulany and the writer were directed to wade out with a few of 
their seamen to the sunken boat, and secure the prisoners, whilst an order 
was given to the riflemen to cut off the retreat of those making for the main 
land ; and as the retreating boats kept in a line with the sunken one, the artil- 
lery were directed immediately to fire only round shot, both on account of our 
men wading out and the enemy in the boat. 



Whilst this report was in the progress of being printed, William F. Ritchie, 
Esq., one of the editors of the Enquirer, handed to the committee a letter 
which had been addressed to him on tlie 22d of January 1849, by the Hon. 
Richard Pollard of Albemarle county, Virginia, the same individual who ia 
referred to in the report as Capt. Pollard. The writer invites attention to two 
communications which he published upon the subject of the defence of Craney 
Island, one in the Richmond Whig of the 19th of February 1830, the other 
in the Washington Union on the 10th of November 1845. Both these pub- 
lications were before the committee, and were carefully examined. The only 
additional facts which he has added are those contained in the closinsr para- 

4 



26 [ Doc. No. 75. ] 

graph of his letter to Mr. Ritchie. Referring to his communication in the 
Whig of the 19th of February 1830, he says : 

" I have spoken in that communication especially of Major Faulkner. I 
repeat, he was a brave and noble officer. He and Lieut. Breckenridge of the 
marines, and one other officer, were all that wore their uniforms on that day. 
One of the navy officers in remonstrating with me for so doing, stated that 
less marked apparel was desirable, to prevent the officers being singled out by 
the enemy's fire. He even advised me to cover the uniform of my regulars, 
otherwise the missiles of the enemy would be thickly, if not exclusively, di- 
rected at them. Just about the close of the action I was standing in conver- 
sation with Major Faulkner, when a ball passed immediately between us; our 
uniforms, I suppose, having attracted the fire at us." 



